A better understanding of skin bleaching

I have talked about skin bleaching on a different post, Skin Bleaching, but I don't think I made some points, mentioned some things and elaborated on certain topics for someone who knows nothing about it to understand the controversy behind it.

Skin bleaching is not such a touchy subject among Blacks in America, Africans and Caribbean people but also Indian and Asian people.

Women are more likely to skin bleach than men. Because of societal pressure to always look your best, women are more likely to go to en extreme end with most beauty rituals such as skin bleaching as to get ahead or appear more beautiful to a wider range of people.

Skin bleaching products are not as publicized in American as they are in Africa, India and Asia. The most common ingredient  is hydroquinone and this has been proven to be cancer causing. To learn more about the hazardeours ingredients in skin bleaching creams as well as the short and long time effect of using bleaching read Skin Bleaching, Is It Worthy?.

With all the negativity that surrounds skin bleaching, why are women still doing it? The one number response has been "to feel more beautiful". Are they saying that darker toned women are less beautiful?

In western cultures, having fairer skin has been proven to provide the person more economic and social advantages. Fairer skin people have been considered easier to approach and appear "less dangerous". While in third world countries, fairer women have a better chance of getting married and making more money.

The video below is about the use of bleaching products in Nigeria and stories of those who have used it. There is also a part during the video where some men are asked which color of a woman they prefer and every one of them said they prefer darker women. Now that was very interesting.

Some women feel they are not necessarily bleaching their skin but making it more even and clear. Is there a difference between bleaching and lightening? Ultimately, the skin will go from one color to another. What about those face products that advertise about achieving "clearer and brighter skin"?

The debate between whether is is right or wrong to skin bleaching will forever be on going as long as there are skin bleaching creams, lotions, gels and medications out in the world.

I am a big believe in self-improvement as to become a better person, whether it is physical, spiritual  emotional or mental. I would never advise anyone to bleach their skin because of the cancer causing agents